Kos
Holidays to Kos offer a vast range of holiday amenities as the island caters predominantly to the tourist trade, specialising in family holidays. Aside from the draw card of beautiful beaches, Kos has an abundance of interesting ruins to explore, and is easily reached from Rhodes or Bodrum (Turkey) by ferry. Kos was prominent in antiquity because of its healing temple of Asclepius, founded after the death of the famed physician Hippocrates, who allegedly taught students on the island. The island also features the remains of temples for other healing deities, including Isis and Sarapis, and appears to have historically been an island healing retreat. The island boasts a tree that is reputedly the oldest in Europe and Hippocrates is said to have held lecture sessions in its shade. The island also has several archaeological remains of Persian, Turkish, Roman and Byzantine conquerors that all added their bit during a long history. Kos has busy bars and an entertaining nightlife, and there are some pleasant towns and beaches outside the capital, but those looking for empty beaches should head for quieter islands.
Patmos
Patmos is an interesting island as it is a pilgrimage island for members of the Catholic religion and is occasionally referred to as the 'Jerusalem of the Aegean', due to the islands religious history. The island is home to a sacred cavern where St John the Evangelist was exiled and wrote the Book of Revelations. Cruise ships and ferries keep the small port very active, disgorging visitors who wish to visit the holy cave and witness the cracks in the wall, said to have appeared when St John heard the voice of the Lord. Crowning the island is the immense Monastery of St John, with its buttressed walls and, inside, frescoes, icons, tapestries and pendants made of precious stones. Visitors can walk up to the monastery from Skala along the Byzantine path.
Transport: Regular hydrofoils from Kos take about two hours
